A deity that was thought to be benevolent in Greek mythology.
It was referred to as a "good spirit" of the vineyards and cornfields.
According to Aristophanes these deities were honored by drinking a glass
of wine to them after the meal. The deity was represented pictorially in
the form of a serpent, or as a young man holding a horn of plenty, a bowl
and ears of corn. Winged serpents also were venerated by the ancient Egyptians,
Chinese and other peoples. A.G.H.